Goat Cheese's Perfect Food Pairings You Need To Try

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from starters and sides to mains. Its tangy, creamy texture and flavour make it a delicious addition to many recipes. It is also a popular choice for those who are lactose intolerant, as it has a reduced amount of lactose.

So, what goes with goat's cheese? A classic partner is nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts, which offer a crunchy texture contrast. Fresh fruits like apples, pears, and berries also complement goat's cheese well, especially when paired with older cheeses. It is also commonly used in salads, melted on pizzas and flatbreads, or stuffed into chicken and turkey.

Goat's cheese can be whipped, fried, baked, stuffed, or simply spread on toast. Its versatility and unique flavour make it a popular ingredient for home cooks and chefs alike.

Goat's cheese and honey

For a simple, yet delicious appetiser, spread goat's cheese on a toasted baguette, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with hazelnuts or pistachios. This can be served with warm grilled bread, or pita chips and crackers. For a more indulgent option, the goat's cheese can be baked in the oven and drizzled with honey, sprinkled with fresh thyme, cracked pepper, and sea salt.

For a no-cook option, honey whipped goat's cheese can be made by whipping goat's cheese with a small amount of honey until it is light and creamy. This can be served with marinated olives, fresh berries, mint, or pistachios, and crusty bread for scooping.

Goat's cheese and fruit

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Its tangy and earthy flavour, along with its creamy texture, makes it a perfect pairing for fruits, especially those with a sweet and mellow flavour profile. Here are some ways to incorporate goat's cheese and fruit into your recipes:

Seasonal Fruit Platter

Create a beautiful and colourful platter by arranging slices of seasonal fruits with goat's cheese. In the summer, opt for fresh goat's cheese with peaches, nectarines, apricots, or berries. During autumn, pair aged goat's cheese with apples, pears, figs, or grapes. Drizzle the fruit and cheese with honey and sprinkle on some pine nuts and salt for a sweet and savoury appetiser.

Salads

Goat's cheese can be a delicious addition to salads, especially when paired with fruits. Try a combination of goat's cheese, beetroot, and balsamic vinegar for a tangy and creamy salad. Alternatively, mix in some arugula, spinach, or mixed greens with fruits like sliced pears, apples, or berries. The sweetness of the fruit will complement the tangy flavour of the goat's cheese.

Fruit and Goat's Cheese Tarts

Tarts offer an elegant way to showcase the combination of goat's cheese and fruit. Try a pear and walnut tartine by topping toasted sourdough with goat's cheese, honey-roasted pears, and walnuts. For a summery option, create a grilled apricot salad with prosciutto and dollops of creamy goat's cheese.

Cooked Fruit with Goat's Cheese

Cooked fruits, such as stewed, caramelised, or poached apples and pears, pair beautifully with goat's cheese. Try making a warm goat's cheese appetizer by topping toasted bread with goat's cheese and cooked fruit. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as walnut or raisin bread, to enhance the sweet and savoury flavours.

Fruit and Goat's Cheese in Baking

Goat's cheese can be a surprising but delightful addition to baked goods. Try making a fig and goat's cheese burger by topping a burger patty with fig spread, goat's cheese, Dijon mustard, and sautéed shallots. Alternatively, create a sweet treat by stuffing figs with goat's cheese, wrapping them in bacon or prosciutto, and roasting them. The savoury and sweet flavours will meld together harmoniously.

With its unique flavour and texture, goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that enhances the flavour of fruits in both sweet and savoury dishes. Experiment with different combinations of fruits and cheeses to discover your favourite pairings.

Goat's cheese in salads

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salads. Its tangy, creamy texture and flavour make it a delicious addition to many recipes. Here are some ideas for how to use goat's cheese in salads:

Beetroot and Goat's Cheese Salad

Beetroot and goat's cheese is a classic combination, with the earthy flavour of beetroot complementing the tangy cheese. This salad can be made with either roasted or pickled beetroot, and can also include other ingredients such as walnuts, arugula, and balsamic vinegar.

Fruit and Goat's Cheese Salad

Goat's cheese pairs well with sweet fruits such as pears, apples, peaches, apricots, and berries. A salad combining goat's cheese with fruit such as sliced pears or beets, along with arugula and a drizzle of honey, makes for a delicious and colourful dish.

Green Salad with Goat's Cheese

Goat's cheese also works well in a simple green salad. Try adding crumbled goat's cheese to a bed of romaine or baby spinach leaves, along with other ingredients such as walnuts, cranberries, and a vinaigrette dressing.

Warm Goat's Cheese Salad

For a heartier option, try a warm goat's cheese salad. This can be made by coating rounds of goat's cheese in breadcrumbs and pan-frying until golden, then serving on a bed of greens with a vinaigrette. Alternatively, bake the goat's cheese in the oven and serve it warm with a salad on the side.

Other Salad Ideas

Goat's cheese can also be crumbled or sprinkled over a variety of other salads, such as a cucumber and tomato salad, grilled apricot salad, or a spinach and sweet potato salad. It can also be used in place of feta in a Greek cucumber, onion, and tomato salad.

Goat's cheese in pasta

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can add a tangy, creamy texture to pasta dishes. Here are some ideas for incorporating goat's cheese into your pasta creations:

One-Pot Pasta with Goat's Cheese and Spinach

This simple recipe combines wilted spinach and soft goat's cheese to create a creamy and rich dish. You'll need 200g of elicoidali or penne pasta, 150g of soft goat's cheese, and 50g of finely grated parmesan or a vegetarian alternative. Simply cook the pasta in a large pan with the vegetable stock, then stir in the spinach until it wilts. Serve with extra parmesan and enjoy!

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta

For a quick and easy dinner, try this 20-minute creamy goat cheese pasta. The key to this recipe is using fire-roasted tomatoes for a sweet flavour and fresh basil for a peppery undertone. Of course, the star ingredient is soft goat cheese (chèvre), which gives the dish its creamy texture. Cook up some penne and make a quick marinara sauce, then crumble in the goat cheese and stir until a creamy sauce forms.

Goat Cheese Pasta with Lemon and Garlic

This recipe is a great alternative to a heavier Alfredo sauce. The tangy flavour of the goat cheese complements the lemon and garlic notes, while fresh basil and spinach add colour and texture. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions. In a separate pan, sauté garlic, then add spinach and basil and cook until wilted. Add the cooked pasta to the spinach mixture along with lemon zest, juice, pepper, and half of the goat cheese. Place the pan back on the heat and cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining goat cheese and chopped basil or parsley.

Leek, Walnut and Goat's Cheese Pasta

This quick and easy pasta dish combines leeks, walnuts, goat's cheese, and garlic with chilli flavours for a full-flavoured, textured supper.

Other Ideas

Goat's cheese also works well in pasta dishes with roasted or sautéed vegetables like cherry tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, and zucchini. For added crunch and flavour, try pairing it with toasted pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds. If you're looking to add protein, grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp would pair well with the goat cheese and vegetables.

Goat's cheese in a sandwich

Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sandwich combinations. Its tangy, creamy texture and spreadable consistency make it an ideal sandwich filling. Here are some ways to incorporate goat's cheese into sandwiches:

Goat's Cheese, Vegetable and Mushroom Sandwich

Combine roasted vegetables such as asparagus, bell peppers, onions, squash, and mushrooms with a dressing made of goat's cheese, black pepper, and basil. Spread this mixture on bread to make a delicious sandwich. The creaminess of the goat's cheese pairs well with the roasted vegetables, creating a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.

Goat's Cheese, Ham, and Apple Sandwich

Create a bistro-style sandwich by layering a French baguette with goat's cheese, rosemary ham, apple slices, arugula, and a drizzle of honey. The sweetness of the apple and the saltiness of the ham complement the tangy goat's cheese, resulting in a satisfying blend of flavours.

Goat's Cheese, Pesto, and Sundried Tomato Sandwich

Spread goat's cheese on bread and top it with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a simple yet flavourful sandwich. The creaminess of the goat's cheese balances the strong flavours of pesto and sundried tomatoes, creating a tasty and satisfying bite.

Goat's Cheese, Beetroot, and Honey Sandwich

For a unique combination, pair goat's cheese with beetroot and honey. Spread the goat's cheese on bread, add thin slices of pickled or roasted beetroot, and drizzle with honey. The earthy sweetness of beetroot and the tanginess of goat's cheese create an intriguing flavour profile, enhanced by the addition of honey.

Goat's Cheese, Chicken, and Spinach Sandwich

Combine grilled chicken, spinach, and goat's cheese in a sandwich for a protein-packed option. The creaminess of the goat's cheese complements the chicken and spinach, adding a tangy twist to this classic combination.

These sandwich ideas showcase the versatility of goat's cheese, which can be paired with a variety of ingredients to create unique and flavourful combinations. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour make it an excellent base for both sweet and savoury sandwich creations.

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